I have always been a sucker for a good love story, no matter the kind. First, last, found, unrequited; it is like candy to a five year old for me. But it so hard to get love right in film. True there is no shortage of romance for one to find at the cinema. Some of my own recommendations would include “The Before Trilogy,” “In The Mood for Love,” and “Call Me By Your Name.” All of these movies may seem disparate with absolutely no similarities. The one thing they do have in common is they depict love’s complications in real terms. Most filmmakers can’t do that well without resorting to cheap gimmicks. But here we have found a love story that shows the many barriers we put up as well as our own faults we must overcome. This, readers, is not a love story. It is a “Marriage Story”.
The story is quite simple: husband and wife. They are not seeing their lives going the way they wanted. However they have a son in the picture and must try to work out the situation accordingly. Sounds pretty standard, huh? But imagine being in the situation but the things you hate about your spouse or significant other are also the things that you love. Therein lies the conflict. From the opening moments of this film writer/director Noah Baumbach presents these two as very much a couple in crisis but also of two people who we can both see their points of view.
Marriage Story
Rating: ★★★★
Directed by Noah Baumbach
Starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson
This isn’t hero and villain, these are real fleshed-out human beings. Leads Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson imbue these characters with just such rich detail. In scene where Johansson meets her lawyer there is this sense that she is on the verge of tears but perseveres, just holding back enough to add nuance. Adam Driver allows for a quiet sense of reserve in scenes where other are more histrionic, making him stand out in the process. And these lawyers, there is a great sense that Laura Dern and Ray Liotta aren’t monsters but there sure can be if well motivated (as well as compensated).
The main struggle of this couple is of course their son Henry. He really knows how to push each parents’ buttons in any given moment. It is not done out of malicious, but because he is just a kid. And the child actor doesn’t make a show of his performance, he is being honest and in the moment. In a hilarious scene where Driver and the kid have to be observed for the court, interactions are given where a lesser performer would come off showy and less genuine. We are witnessing a very real family unit, despite the fissure that has come between the spouses.
“Story” is also the best looking of Baumbach’s films as well. The camera work and lighting really give both New York and Los Angeles a magical feel to it. Again, he is clearly not choosing sides between these two. The editing moves quite smoothly from one emotion to the next. There is one soft devolve sequence towards the end that I found utterly breathtaking. The music by Randy Newman great complemented the film, not forcing us to feel but to augment the scenes beautifully. I must admit to not being a fan of his work, however this must be my favorite score of the year and hope he wins his Oscar for it.
Much has been said about a key scene in the film. Some people have taken this clip out of context to show the lack of subtlety that both Johansson and Driver bring to it. Yes, it is stagey and feels like an acting dialogue between two stage actors. The fact that Adam’s character is a drama director makes this noticeable and especially apparent when you pull is out of the rest of the film. But it is no more broad and theatrical than the performance Joaquin Phoenix is being praised for and garnering awards. And having seen both, it is my pick that Adam Driver should be the more lauded. Never has an actor took me through the ringer in just one scene let alone a whole movie; from hurt to humor, shock to sadness. If anything his rendition of the song “Being Alive” should bring you to tears.
I am not going into the details of what brings about this dissolve. Much like a relationship this should be experienced as surprise. It is easy to craft a love story as simple points A to B to C within in a movie. Hollywood keeps churning tales of love and misunderstanding which fails us as moviegoers. But not everything is about happily ever after. EDLove isn’t about everything being good; it is about appreciating both sides.
